Coincidence circuit



Nov. 4, 1952 l.. F. WOUTERS COINCIDENCE CIRCUIT `Filed April 5, 1951 o EEIHEIH Q Coul/TER AMPLIFIER c POWER 3,7 SUPPLY INVENTR. Lou/s F. WOUTERS VBY Patented Nov. 4, 195,2

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COINCIDENCE CIRCUIT Louis F. Wouters, Oakland Calif., assignor to the United States :of -Am'ericaas represented by the United States Atomic Energy Commission Application April'5, 1951, Serial No.'219,'44`6 (Cl. Z50-83.3)

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a coincidencec'ircuit and more particularly to a circuit -for vdeter-mining coincidences in two spaced-apart scintillation indicators.

In coincidence counting the results obtained from present circuits are subject to -errors caused by random particles striking the second indicator to give a spurious count. Complexcireuits, such as that outlined on page 244 (Fig. 4.18), Electronics, by Elmore and Sands, National Nuclear Energy Series, Division V, volume 1, could be used for coincidence counting without errors as stated above; however, such circuitsare inherently complicated and diilcult to'maintain.

It will -be readily apparent that a coincidence circuit, arranged to count only pulsesof equal height and Within a predetermined ltime interval, will decrease the'possibility of random or spurious counts considerably. By placing'two-scintillation indicators in spaced-apart relation along the path or" a beam of Vcharged particles, a'count of such particles successivelyentering bothcrystals may be made accurately while 'eliminating the effects of chance particles to a greater degree than heretofore vthought possible. `The 4scintillaticns of each crystalare-focused upon the lightsensitive cathode of separate photomultiplier tubes, thereby forming two signal channels. The channel related to 4the `first indicator is v'suitably coupled to ver-tical deiiecting plates'of'acathode ray tube while the 'channel related tothe second indicator is coupled to `thehorizontal deecting plates of such cathode ray-tube.v YThe coupling means connecting the 'photomultiplier ftubes Ato the cathode ray tubes may 4beeasilydesignedto incorporate desiredfdelay time to the `pulses so that the pulses are Vsubstantially in phase'at'zthe cathode ray tube. Under-such conditions it will be readily apparent thata straight `lin'etrace having a forty-ve degreeangle'with respect to thedeilecting plates will be formed only when the two pulses are substantially in phasean'd have substantially the saine maximum value. "Io utilize such principle a mask having a narrow slit lying along the forty-'five degree line, as measured from the plane of the horizontal deflecting plates, is placed over :the screen .of the cathode ray tube to permit the projectionof a beam of light only under thecondition offa'iortyfive degree trace on the screen. A .phototube placed to receive such beam of light then transmits a signal through Yan -ampliiier to ltrip a counter.

It is thereforefran objectmfi'thefpresent.invention to provide anew and improved coincidence counter.

Another Aobject of .the invention is to provide a simplified circuit for coincidence counting.

Still another object of the invention is `to `provide a coincidence circuit for Vcounting .coincidences only `when the pulses are substantially equal in magnitude and phase.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coincidence `circuit .comprising a pair of photomultiplier tubes for impressing signals upon the deecting plates of a cathode ray tuberandmeans for indicating only .the occurrence of pulses of equal phase and magnitude.

A still further object .of .the invention .is `to provide a sensitive 'coincidence circuit `having a short resolving time.

Furtherobjects and advantages will be apparent from the Afollowing description and .claims considered together with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 isa schematic wiring diagram of the present invention; `and Figure 2 is a series of traces on the screen of a cathode ray tube under varying-conditions possible with the'arrangement of Fig. 1.

Considering the drawing in detail, and Fig. l in particular, there is provided apair of scintillation indicators Il and l2 disposed in spacedapart relation in the path of abeam ofcharged particles I3. vWhen the particles of the beam i3 enter the indicators ll and l2 the material thereof fluoresces and to utilize such phenomenon va photomultiplier tube l5 is disposed adjacent one indicator Il Vwhile `a second similar photomultiplier tube I'l is disposed'adjacent the other indicator I2. The relation of the photomultiplier tubes I6 and I1 withthe indicators Il and l2 is such that light of the uorescing material strikes the light-sensitive cathode of the tubes.

To furnish .the required potentials to the photomultiplier tubes IS and Il there is provided a conventional unidirectional power supply '2| having a negative terminal 22, a grounded terminal 23, a positive terminal V2t, and-a more positivefterminal 25. A first resistance voltage divider 21 comprising a plurality of series-connected'resistors 30 to 31 is connected between the negative terminal 22 of-the powersupply 2| and ground. To by-pass any radiofrequency voltages appearing across the resistors 30 to 31 one of a plurality of capacitors 40-41 is respectively rconnected'across-each of such resistors. I'he cathode of theiirst photomultiplier .tube I6 1sl connected -to-the negative terminal 22 ofthe power supply 2I and each of the dynodes, except the nal one, of the tube is respectively connected to a junction between the resistors 30-31 so that suitable operating potentials exist thereat. The nal dynode of the tube I6 is connected to the positive terminal 24 of the power supply 2I through a dropping resistor 49 and the anode is connected to the more positive terminal 25 through a dropping resistor 5I.

A second resistance voltage divider 56 comprising a plurality of series-connected resistors 60 to 61 is also connected between the negative terminal 22 of the power supply 2| and ground. One of a plurality of ley-pass capacitors I to 11 is respectively connected across each of the resistors 60 -to 61. The cathode of the photomultiplier tube I'I is connected to the negative terminal 22 and each of the dynodes, except the final one, is respectively connected to a junction between the resistors 69 `to 61. The nal dynode of the photomultiplier tube I'I is connected to the positive terminal 29 through a dropping resistor 'I9 and the anode is connected to the more positive terminal 25 through a dropping resistor 8I to complete the operational connections of the tube.

The nal dynode of the photomultiplier tube I6 is connected to one conductor of a section of coaxial cable 66 through a blocking capacitor 8l and the anode of the tube is connected to the other conductor of the cable 86 through a blocking capacitor 93. The other ends of the conductors of the cable 86 are connected respectively to either side of a resistor 9| having a grounded center tap and further to the vertical dei-lecting plates 94 of a conventional cathode ray tube 95.

The nal dynode of the other photomultiplier tube E1 and the anode thereof are respectively connected to the two conductors of a coaxial cable 96 through blocking capacitors 9'I land 98. The other ends 4of the conductors of the cable 96 are connected to either side of a resistor 99 having a grounded center tap and further to the horizontal deflecting plates IDI of the cathode ray tube 95.

A conventional power supply IIJ6 is provided to impress suitable potentials upon the electron gun I6? of the cathode ray tube 95. In this manner it is readily apparent that the electron beam of the cathode ray tube 95 will be centered on the screen thereof when no potential-s are applied to either of the sets of deflecting plates 94 and IUI. It will also be apparent that vertical and horizontal `defiecting voltages may be obtained from the power supply |016 and suitably impressed on the deecting plates 94 and IUI so that the beam may be adjustably positioned at -any desired point of origin `on the screen.

With the foregoing connections accomplished in the manner described and with the power supplies 2| and |66 energized the circuit is operable. When a charged particle causes the material of the rst indicator Ii to fluoresce Athe light scintillations strike the light-sensitive cathode of the tube i6 thereby freeing electrons which are then accelerated from one dynode to another in increasing quantities. The flow of electrons from the nal dynode to the anode of the tube I6 is translated into a voltage by the resistors 49 and I which is carried by ythe coaxial cable 86 to the resistor 9I. Since the resistor SI has a grounded center tap the voltage developed is applied in push-pull to the vertical deecting plates 94 4of the cathode ray tube 95. Such a voltage diierence between the vertical detlecting plates 94 causes the electron beam of the cath- 4 ode ray tube '95 to be deflected vertically from the point of origin.

It will be readily apparent that the same action, as outlined above, takes place between the second indicator I2 and the horizontal deflecting plates IOI, when 'a charged particle causes fluorescence in the indicator, to cause the electron beam to be deflected horizontally from the point of origin. From the foregoing it will be understood that, when both pulses arrive at the respective deflecting plates at the same time and are equal in magnitude, a trace will be scribed across the screen of the cathode ray tube at a forty-five degree angle and such condition is illustrated in Fig. 2A. If, however, the vertical deectng pulse is less than the horizontal and both pulses arrive at the same time, the angle of the trace will be less Ithan forty-five degrees as shown in Fig. 2B. Next consider the case Where the pulse height is the same but the time of arrival of the pulses is different and it will be apparent that the trace will be open and vary about Aa forty-five degree line which is illustrated in Fig. 2C. Where both the time and magnitude are different an open trace, similar t0 the last described, will appear, as shown in Fig. 2D, varying labout a line on a different angle.

In order to assure that the pulses from the two indicators reach the respective deilecting plates 94 and IEI of the cathode ray tube 95, when the indicators I I and I2 are energized by the saine beam I3 of charged particles, it is necessary to lengthen the coaxial cable 86 with respect to `the length of the other cable 96. Such differential in length of the two cables 86 and 96 should be by a length having a time delay constant substantially equal to the time required by the particles of the beam I3 to traverse the distance between the indicators II and I2. It may also be found necessary to lengthen the same cable 86 to adjust for the time necessary for the electron beam to travel from one set of deectng plates 94 to the other set of plates I9 I To utilize the cathode ray tube 95 and the associated circuits as a device for discriminating against pulses which are not equal or not in phase at the deflecting plates 94 and IUI, a mask I I I is provided to shield or cover the screen of lthe tube except along the forty-ve degree line. Thus the mask III is disposed to cover the screen of the cathode ray tube 95 and has an elongated aperture II2 along the line of a trace swept by the electron beam of the tube when the deflecting voltages are equal in magnitude and occur simultaneously.

A photoelectric tube I I6, of the diode or multiplier type, is disposed adjacent to the aperture II2 of the mask III so that fluorescence of the screen of the cathode ray tube 95 Within the area of the aperture falls upon the light-sensitive cathode. The output of the tube I I6 is connected to the input of a conventional amplier I2I and 'the output thereof is connected to a conventional counter |26 of the electromagnetic or similar type. Thus each time the delecting plates 94 and I9I of the tube 95 have voltages of equal magnitude occurring at substantially lthe same time, the counter |26 is energized to indi-cate a coincidence.

It has been found that the resolving time of the circuit is a function of the persistence of the screen of the cathode ray tube 95 and of the sensitivity of the photoelectric tube II6 disposed adjacent thereto. By increasing the sensitivity of the photoelectric tube II6 the factor involving the persistence of the screen of the tube 95 is greatly diminished. In operating the circuit with a cathode ray tube having a screen persistence of about 60 microseconds, it has been found that such a long persistence does not limit the resolving time by any appreciable amount where a photomultiplier tube capable of judging the difference between a iluorescence which has lasted for 2 1010 sec. and one that has freshly appeared.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the uses of the circuit are numerous and that, by proper placement of the mask III and aperture l I2 with respect to the screen of the cathode ray tube 95, discrimination may be had between input pulses having any selected relation as to magnitude and phase.

While the salient features of the present invention have been described in detail with respect to one embodiment it will, of course, be apparent that numerous modifi-cations may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention and it is therefore not desired to limit the invention to the exact details shown except insofar as they may be dened in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coincidence circuit, the combination comprising a first and second scintillation indicator disposed in spaced-apart relation along the path of a `beam of Icharged particles, a first and second light responsive means respectively disposed adjacent each of said indicators for transforming light scintillations into electrical pulses, a cathode ray tube having an electron gun, a pair of vertical deecting plates, a pair of horizontal deflecting plates, and a screen, iirst coupling means connected to said rst light responsive means and said vertical deilecting plates, second coupling means connected to said second light responsive means and said horizontal deilecting plates, said i'lrst coupling means including a time delay element having a time constant equal to the transit time of particles between said indicators, a mask disposed across said screen and having a single elongated aperture therein disposed at a forty-tive degree angle with respect to the axis of said cathode ray tube, and means disposed adjacent said aperture for recording a count each time said deflecting plates are equally energized at the same time.

2. In a coincidence circuit, the combination comprising a rst and second scintillation indicator disposed in spaced-apart relation along the path of a beam of charged particles, a rst and second light responsive means respectively disposed adjacent each of said indicators, a cathode ray tube having an electron gun, a pair of vertical deflecting plates, a pair of horizontal deecting plates, and a screen. a first section of transmission line connected between said rst light responsive means and said vertical deflecting plates, a second section of transmission line connected between said second light responsive means and said horizontal deflecting plates, said second section of transmission line having a time constant greater than that of said first section of transmission line by the transit time of particles between said indicators, a mask disposed across said screen and having a single elongated aperture therein disposed at a forty-five degree angle with respect lto the axis of said cathode ray tube, a phototube disposed adjacent said aperture to receive light therefrom when said deflection plates are equally energized at the same time, and means connected to said photo-tube for recording the number of actuations thereof.

3. In a coincidence circuit, the combination comprising a first and second scintillation indicator disposed in spaced-apart relation along the path of a beam of charged particles, a rst and second photomultiplier tube respectively disposed adjacent each of said indicators, a cathode ray tube having an electron gun, a pair of vertical deflecting plates, a pair of horizontal deflecting plates, and a screen, a, first length of coaxial cable coupled at one end to the output of said first photomultiplier tube and at the other end to said vertical deflecting plates, a second length of coaxial cable coupled at one end to the output of said second photomultiplier tube and at the other end to said horizontal deflecting plates, said first cable being longer than said second cable by a length suiiicient to delay voltages by a time equal to the transit time of particles between said indicators, a mask disposed across said creen and having an aperture therein, said aperture being an elongated slot lying along a forty-five degree line with respect to the axis of said cathode ray tube, a third photoelectric tube disposed adjacent said aperture to receive light therefrom when scintillations of said indicators are equal and occur within said transit time, an amplifier connected to said third photomultiplier tube, and an electromechanical counter connected to the output of said amplier.

LOUIS F'. WOUTERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,977,999 Prinz Oct. 23, 1934 2,144,337 Koch Jan. 17, 1939 2,517,404 Morton Aug. 1, 1950 2,527,512 Arditi Oct. 31, 1950 2,540,016 Sunstein Jan. 30, 1951 2,550,106 Coltman et al Apr. 24, 1951 

